PEORIA — A group protested the fatal shooting of a pit bull by a police officer Monday by standing outside the Peoria Police Department with signs.

The protesters gathered to call attention to the incident May 20 in which a Peoria police officer shot a South Peoria man’s pit bull multiple times. Authorities responded to a domestic battery call in the 1100 block of South Blaine Street that night, but went to the home of Terry L. Sally, 49, of 1116 S. Blaine St. after hearing loud music down the street.

Sally was arrested on charges of obstructing an officer, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to jail records. Sally’s pit bull, Jordan, was shot multiple times by an officer during the arrest after the dog allegedly came at one of the officers. Because of the gunfire, an internal investigation is being conducted by the Police Department. Assistant Police Chief Jerry Mitchell said the internal investigation was ongoing Monday and more information was being gathered.

Sally and 12 other people arrived at 11 a.m. at the Peoria police station and waved signs, which condemn the shooting, into the middle of the afternoon. The protest, led by pit bull owner and activist Marsha Soto, had a two-fold purpose — raising awareness against the use of deadly force on pit bulls and disputing the circumstances that led to the death of Sally’s pit bull. Soto spearheaded like-minded protests in the past year after a Toluca dog was shot.

“Every 98 minutes in the United States of America, a pet — and I’m talking cats, there was even a parakeet — is shot and killed by police,” Soto said. “It’s time for it to stop.”

Soto alleged the officers involved in the May 20 shooting had no verifiable hours of training in subduing dogs without deadly force.

“They have an obligation to protect others, including themselves,” Mitchell said. “If they fail to engage when a dog charges, they have to weigh what the outcome’s likely to be.”

Sally refuted the notion that his pit bull was endangering the safety of the officers that night. Jordan was liked by all in the neighborhood, including the mailman, Sally said. No complaints had ever been filed with Peoria County Animal Protection Services against the dog, according to Sally. A call was placed Monday by the Journal Star to verify that, but the PCAPS director was unavailable. Sally said multiple times he was confused why deadly force was used against his dog.

“If they feel any dog is being aggressive toward them, why can’t they use a Taser or something?” Sally asked.

Page 2 of 2 - “Why kill him?” Soto echoed.

Soto said Monday’s protest was just the first step for Sally and his deceased pit bull. A candlelight vigil and more protests are planned, and Soto has contacted a Chicago-area lawyer for possible litigation.

“Jordan’s not going to die in vain,” Soto said.

Thomas Bruch can be reached at 686-3188 or tbruch@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasBruch.